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[The break is enough to give her pause, to halt her wandering thoughts and make her second-guess her intentions.]

No. I mean yes. I mean... of course. I'll rely on you, if it's necessary.

[He watches her for a moment and then kisses her forehead again.]

Alright then.

[And then he's looking at her and leaning down again, maybe for another kiss or maybe to kiss her cheek, it's up to her.]

[There's a pause, and she shies away by an inch or so.]

This could be just like it always was, or it could be something completely different. I don't know why this is suddenly occurring to me, but I need to know what you expect.

[Ever the gentleman he leans back himself, looking as calm and unflustered as he can.]

I'm expecting nothing. Where ever this goes, is where it goes, Catherine. I'll follow your lead.

Thank you.

[She means it, and she sounds relieved. She wanted no expectations, no concerns or regrets or labels.]

Of course.

[He doesn't sound expecting or demanding. He sounds like his normal self. It doesn't mean, like before, he wouldn't mind a label but he's not going to say that.]

It's always going to be your lead I follow in this.

[There's a soft smile.]

So we can try again.

[There's no hesitance in his voice in his answer.]

I'd be more than willing too.

[There's a pause before she answers, but it isn't reluctance. It's acceptance.]

While we have the chance, perhaps we should.

[He watches her calmly, and then yes, that's a bit of a smile.]

I think we should as well. While we have the chance.

[Because eventually something may happen to one or the other of them and, well... Time and distance has both numbed her to her affection and made her crave it even more.]

And while we're at it... keep an eye on each other's backs.

[Yes something might, but things tend to happen to them no matter what. And he's lived with a child these last few years, he hasn't had time for any sort of affection from another adult in some time.]

Of course, that was always my plan.

I know. It simply bears repeating.

[She hasn't allowed herself any affection since him, not even toward her daughter. There was never time. Or need. Or, in the end, desire.]

Of course it does.

[He just smiles, and looks at her and this entire thing is so screwed up. This isn't how he wanted to see her again, and really, he's so far out of his depth here his head is swimming.]

[She resists the urge to do what she actually wants to do, to simply curl up with him and forget the years and that they're in this wretched place. There's a pause, then she carefully pulls away from him.]

Thank you, Jacob.

[He lets her, leaving a hand on her arm which he drops eventually as he gives her that smile still.]

No thanks needed, not from you.

I owe you more than just a bit of gratitude, but let's save those things for another day. I'm emotionally wrung-out enough.

No, you don't. [He just gives her a bit of a look.] But if you feel that way then we'll talk again later. It's not as if we don't have the time.

[Barring death and disaster.]

All the time we could possibly want, it seems.

[Have another brief hug and an accompanying kiss.]

Stop setting me at ease so quickly.

So it seems.

[But that's said after an approving hum at that kiss.]

Only if you stop making me relax.

We may have a problem.

It's not such a horrible one, is it? [He doesn't see it as one at least.]

I think it's the least troublesome problem I've ever had.

Certainly less smelly then most. [...Jacob no, now is not the time to make cracks about your daughter.]

[skdjhgkjh

Alright. Now she's laughing.]

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